Today we’d like to introduce you to Maya Holt.
Hi Maya, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m born and raised in New Mexico, and was in the Yearbook team in my high school and absolutely loved designing it. After I graduated, I went to college at the University of New Mexico. While there, I majored in communications and journalism with a minor in film. I also worked on campus as a social media coordinator for the University. My intention was to write and Film documentaries, but I ended up falling in love with photography. After I graduated, my friends and I will drive around town and take pictures of each other with started out as a fun thing to do, became my passion. Through that, I began developing my style and a love for Photoshop. I taught myself how to use the program using YouTube videos. It was not easy and it took me a while to memorize certain techniques, the photo shop is what shaped my work into what it is today. It is truly my favorite thing to do, and looking back, I now realize my love for digital art has always been with me since I was in school, building the yearbook with my friends.
Anyway, through all of that, I developed a clientele doing regular family portraits and weddings, but did conceptualize concepts on my free time. I realized that if I wanted to get paid to do the shoots I enjoy doing most, I’d need to put myself out there and move to a new city. In 2021, I moved to Los Angeles and have really honed in on my style, and I get paid to do the work I enjoy doing most!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been easy. I I grew up low income and didn’t have a lot of resources. Growing up poor meant I couldn’t have a camera or clothes and makeup that the “cooler kids” had. I was always very aware of my class difference between peers, and sometimes kids would even comment on it. Through that, I struggled with self-identity and insecurity. I spent a lot of my life trying to fit in and wanting to so badly have money and be cool. I lost track of who Maya is; I never got to learn who I was until I was in my 20s. Better late than never, but I do look back on my childhood and wish I could’ve told the younger me that it’s okay to have the story I have and that I’d be able to build a business entirely on my own.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My catchphrase is, “I don’t take photographs, I make them.” With a heavy reliance on digital art, I turn a photo into something that can *almost* be real. My photography can be described as someone who never escaped childhood imagination. It’s a place where no idea is bad, and exploring something that is considered scary or weird is welcomed.
My favorite thing about my work is that it’s a reflection of me. I have suppressed who Maya is, and now I can proudly show her through an art medium that reflects my love for technology and color.
I now do this full-time in Los Angeles. I work with brands like Spencer’s, The Pretty Cult, and TUK Footwear. Working with brands has given me the opportunity to go on tour and shoot festivals around the country. I also work with musicians in creating album art, which makes my musical background heart happy.
My favorite thing I do is my 3moji series. It’s entirely self-portrait and based off of my followers sending me three emojis and me turning it into a photo. It started out as a creative rut and has blossomed into a wonderful place for me to express myself fully. It’s challenged my creative process and has let me think outside the box with my imagination. Having myself be the model in all of them as well gives a storyline of me as a character running around and getting herself into weird, trippy situations. The plan is to keep creating this and finally make a book of all my creations.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Your childhood doesn’t have to define you. You can find a way to go to school, work hard, get resources, and build a business. You can overcome the hardships and trauma in your life and still be a good and happy person. You can also make a living off an artist, and don’t let anyone try to tell you it isn’t a real job.
Contact Info:
- Website: Mayaholt.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mayapologies?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/_mayapologies?lang=en
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@mayapologies_?lang=en
Image Credits
Image one: Jaeden Gomez Image two: Jaeden Gomez, Joshua Specs, Eli Oormond, Kara Cannella, Image three: Andy Glassjaw from We Came As Romans Image four: Luna Aura Image 5: Eli Oormond Image 6: Loris Queen Image 6 and 7 are me, as well as my initial cover image.
